“…remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father…“
in the sight of our God and Father
Christians should do what we do under God’s eye. God has sight. He is not blind. He sees everything we do for Him.
“Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?” (Genesis 16:13).
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
“Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20).
“But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith’” (Galatians 3:11).
“For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:17).
“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).
Most people do not have the slightest idea that God sees them. They could care less. Those who love Him want to please Him because they know that He sees everything they do. God knows our sorrow and disappointment. He sees our need. He knows our desires.
Again, as with the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul calls God “our” Father. This is also a term of relationship. God is more than our Maker or Creator. A Father cares for His children (Galatians 3:26).
Each of the triads of virtues revolves around a personal relationship with the Son and the Father.
Principle:
Christians should not live for the appearances of men but under the eye of God.
Application:
Christians exercise faith, hope, and love, not for men but God. Ultimately, God will search our hearts. Before men, we operate for the most part on appearances. Before God, things will be what they truly are.
